Page 54 of SEAL'S Secret Vows

“Revenge?” she asks, unsatisfied with my answer. “Can I see a picture?” I pull out an old picture from my wallet and hand it to her. She looks at it briefly and returns it.

“You don’t believe me. What is it?”

“No, it’s not that I don’t believe you.” Nora hesitates, her gaze flickering away for a moment before meeting mine once more. “It’s nothing, really,” she says, but her tone belies her words.

I reach out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “You can talk to me, you know,” I say softly using the samewords she spoke to me, my heart aching at the thought of her suffering in silence.

“I thought you were upset about something else. Not the mission.”

In for a penny,I think. Despite it really not being the time or place, all I can think about is her. “Tell me,” I plead.

Nora takes a deep breath, the walls she built crumbling as she looks into my eyes. “I’m just... I'm not sure if this is what you really want,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I heard you and Joseph talking yesterday. You mentioned your exes and it didn’t seem like you’ve moved on; you also said your job was your priority.” Different emotions run through me ranging from shock to fear.

“Is that why you’ve been acting like this? How much did you hear?”

“Enough.” I look at her for a while and realize that she has formed an opinion already. Oh, Joseph and his big mouth.

“Joseph noticed that there was something going on between us, and on the contrary, he was making sure that I didn’t treat this opportunity given to me like my past relationships. You can talk with him.”

“I don’t have to, Chase. You said work is your priority.”

“Nora, listen to me,” I say, my voice filled with conviction.

Damn the consequences.I think. She deserves to know the truth.

“I love you. More than anything in this world. And if there's one thing, I'm sure of, it's that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I need you to know,” I continue, feeling sure about this. “You're the one I choose, Nora. Above all others. Did you wait to hear everything? After I said work is my priority, I also said you were slowly taking up that position.”

My words hang heavy in the air, a silent plea for understanding and acceptance. I look into her eyes, and I’m unable to discern any emotions. Her face is unreadable.

“Nora, can you please trust me? I love you, Nora. I swear it.” I inch forward, my lips hovering just inches from hers.

“Chase…” Her voice trembles.

Hurt flashes through me, though I know her hesitancy isn’t an answer on its own.

“Make a choice, Nora. I love you. Please give us a chance.” I kiss her forehead once and then take a step back. “I’ll do a sweep of the room. Be careful.”

I walk away, knowing that I need to focus on the mission, but I’m uneasy about Nora’s uncertainty.

I love her. I told her. It’s out of my hands now.

Now it’s up to her.

Chapter twenty

Nora

Ipush the chair back and run my hands through my hair multiple times.What are you doing, Nora? All that’s in the past.I look at the TV mounted on the wall, the same images on my laptop. They must be live streaming. If this place was attacked, the entire world would see it.

Chase loves me.

Helovesme.

And I was too afraid to tell him that I love him, too.

The door bursts open, and there is Lena, trying to catch her breath.

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